Liverpool delivered a dominant first-half performance to secure a 5-2 Premier League victory over relegation-threatened West Ham, with Hugo Ekitike starring by scoring twice and creating two more goals.
Arne Slot’s side, previously criticised for ineffective set plays this season, scored three first-half goals directly from corners. Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, and Alex Mac Allister all capitalised on West Ham’s poor defending in dead-ball situations, leaving Mads Hermansen helpless.
West Ham, managed by Nuno Espirito Santo, have now conceded a league-high 15 goals from corners this season. This match marked the second instance where they shipped three goals from corners in a single game, having also done so against Chelsea in August.
Although Liverpool’s set-piece mastery was decisive, West Ham found a lifeline early in the second half. El Hadji Diouf and Tomas Soucek combined on the counter, and Valentin Castellanos was left unmarked from a corner to threaten Liverpool’s lead. However, Liverpool maintained control and responded effectively.
Cody Gakpo missed an early chance but later scored Liverpool’s fourth goal, while Jeremie Frimpong forced an own goal from Axel Disasi to wrap up the 5-2 win. The victory lifts Liverpool to fifth in the Premier League table, displacing Chelsea ahead of their Sunday fixture, as the race for European qualification intensifies.
